EPA's Support of Rural America, 2020 report highlights key scientific decisions and successful partnerships from 2020 that directly impact rural communities across the country, and ultimately, our nation’s food supply. 

Report highlights:

• EPA’s first-time Memorandum of Understanding with the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy.
• EPA Regions entering into formal partnerships with State Departments of Agriculture, and Farm Bureaus.
• EPA’s reinstation of the Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee, and subsequent meetings and deliberation on assigned charge topics: how EPA can create a holistic pesticide program for the future, and how EPA can support environmental benchmarks with interagency partners on the topics of water quality and quantity, and food loss and waste. 
• EPA’s renewed agreement with the USDA and the Food and Drug Administration on the Winning on Reducing Food Waste Initiative.
• Providing regulatory clarity to farmers and landowners with the implementation of Navigable Waters Protection Rule and completing timely pesticide registration approvals. 
• Releasing new grant opportunities on solutions to pressing issues in rural America including PFAS and pesticide managements.
• Regional success stories showing EPA grants at work in local communities improving air and water quality, promoting environmental education and more.

• EPA's Support of Rural America 2020 (PDF)(19 pp, 13 MB)